National Minimum Wage (Workplace Internships) Bill

Debate between Alec Shelbrooke and Stephen Pound

Friday 4th November 2016 Commons Chamber

[Stephen Pound (Ealing North) (Lab)]

There is a self-respecting Conservative.

[Alec Shelbrooke]

Quite right—I agree with the hon. Gentleman on the Opposition Front Bench, who speaks from a sedentary position.

I gently say to my hon. Friend the Member for Shipley that he quite rightly points out that my interest is social mobility, but rather than trying to bring it down to a common denominator I am trying to bring it up to a common denominator, so that people can access opportunities for social mobility. I understand his concerns, but there is a large difference between trying to push everybody down and being under the control of one socialist fist, and trying to make sure that everybody can go as high as they possibly can.